Shore Excursions

The opportunity to experience each destination in the most authentic, in-depth, and meaningful way is the very essence of luxury cruising with Paul Gauguin Cruises. Aboard our luxury vessel, you can choose from a wide array of shore excursions by land and sea that let you discover the dramatic beauty, rich history, and unique culture of your destination up close, in a small group.

To review your options, use the search function below, or view the individual itinerary of your choice through the “Plan Your Trip” online tool.

Shore Excursion Terms & Conditions

Please note that not all shore excursions are available on all sailings. Descriptions and pricing may vary. Shore excursions will not be available for pre-booking until approximately 30 days prior to sailing (with the exception of the Romantic Escapades excursions) and can be added to your booking via the "Manage your trip" online tool. New tours, not previously listed for online sales, may be available onboard without prior notice. If you have questions please contact our Reservation Department at 1 (800) 848-6172 for assistance.

Once onboard, please refer to the tour descriptions for full details or consult with the Travel Concierge Team for further information.

An eco-friendly jewel in the South Pacific, the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa is located between the “two hearts” of Motu Pita Aau, a coral island on the barrier reef. Enjoy a day poolside or at the beach, swimming in the pristine azure lagoons. Complimentary use of paddle board, windsurf, kayak, snorkeling equipment, and outrigger is included.

Guests will transfer via taxi from Vaitape to the InterContinental Le Moana and shuttle transfer to the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa. Your excursion also includes a two-course lunch (a main course plus either appetizer or dessert), served at the poolside restaurant. Beverages, spa treatments, and certain activities can be purchased at the resort at an additional cost.

Explore the volcanic crater from which Moorea was created during this scenic, off-road island safari via off-road vehicle.

Depart the pier in an off-road vehicle for a journey inside the volcanic crater from which Moorea was created. En route, you will discover the heart of a huge pineapple plantation inside the island's deepest valley. Moorea, Polynesia's Green Garden, is renowned for its Agricultural School, which receives students from all the outer islands. A stop will be made here to sample some homemade jam. Ice cream and local fruit juices will also be available for purchase. Your guide will then drive you across a large plantation filled with vanilla, bananas, grapefruit, and oranges, and will acquaint you with the island's diverse flora and fauna.

Next, you will continue to an open-air temple, or marae. After a stop to learn about the Polynesian culture, you will ascend to the top of Belvedere lookout for spectacular vistas over Cook's and Opunohu Bays. You will then descend that mountain and proceed to Magic Mountain, where a little path surrounded by grapefruit, lemon, and orange trees opens up to a panoramic view stretching across Opunohu Bay, the lagoon, and the sea. Your tour will conclude with a stop at the Fruit Juice Factory and Distillery of Moorea to sample their liquors.

Following your visit, you will reboard the off-road vehicle for your return ride to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves very bumpy roads, steep ascents and descents, and a short but steep hike to the viewpoint on the mountain. This tour is not recommended for guests with back and/or neck problems, guests who suffer from vertigo or motion sickness, or guests with limited mobility. The itinerary may be modified depending on weather conditions. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, a hat, and sunglasses. Guests are asked to remain seated in the vehicle, as standing can be dangerous. Must be a minimum of 8 years old to participate.

Visit ancient sacred grounds, or marae, such as Are Mango, where ancient rituals and sacrifices were performed, and learn how ancient Polynesian warriors defended their island with the help of supernatural beings.

Depart from the pier and head toward the coastal village of Nikaupara. Stop briefly at Vainamu, a freshwater pond once used as a gathering place by the young people of the island. Continue along to the inland village of Tautu, stopping at the ancient temple grounds of Are Mango and the Poatu o Rae - the ancient throne of Rae, reputed to have been the strongest man on Aitutaki. Your guide will tell of his legends, such as tales of how how warriors of old voyaged long distances to experience the music and drums of the Are Karioi - the House of Entertainment where the "Yuppies" of Polynesia gathered for what was reported a marathon of dancing and courtship.

After a short ride through plantations, your tour will head toward the top of Mount Piraki where you will see some of the best views of the coastal village of Amuri and Arutanga. There, you will also view the remains of a World War II bunker built by the Americans during their time on the island.

From Piraki, you will head to the highest peak on the island, Maunga Pu. The ride to the very top is exhilarating, and the view that awaits you there is breathtaking: a panoramic view of the island and its magnificent lagoon.

This tour is more than just a means of reaching the top of Aitutaki's highest mountain without hard work, however. It is an opportunity to get to some of Aitutaki's best kept secret spots. Even for locals living on Aitutaki, places like the Poatu o Rae (the rock of Rae) and the Marae Are Mango (the house of Sharks) are places they hear about but never actually visit. Yet, they are the places that molded what Aitutaki is today.

Following your tour, you will be transferred back to the pier.

Please note: Some sites are difficult to get to but well worth the effort. Guests are requested to wear comfortable walking shoes, protection from the sun and to bring insect repellent.

Explore the underwater wonders of Bora Bora’s picturesque lagoon during a 30-minute ride on the Aquabike underwater scooter.

Depart the pier in Bora Bora via motorboat for the brief transfer to the hydraulic scooter platform. Upon arrival, you will meet your dive instructor/guide, who will brief you on the scooter, equipment, and safety procedures. Operating the scooter is very simple; riders need only to step onto the scooter and steer it using a small wheel. The Aquabike underwater scooter is equipped with dive tanks, providing a continuous airflow, so your head stays completely dry. After descending to a shallow depth of 10 feet (3 meters) maximum, your 30-minute underwater exploration will begin. Your dive instructor will guide you in the water and throughout the tour to help ensure a smooth and easy underwater ride.

Please note: This tour is priced per-scooter. Each scooter will accommodate two average-sized adults; when requesting this tour online or via telephone, please request only one ticket. Wear a swimsuit under a cover-up, and bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a towel from the ship as well as your snorkel gear. This tour is recommended for guests in good physical condition. Pregnant women and guests with neck or back problems, asthma, heart or respiratory conditions, claustrophobia, or limited mobility, and guests who utilize a wheelchair will not be permitted on this tour. Participants must be at least eight years old and four feet tall to participate on this tour. The minimum age to drive a scooter is 16 years old. Guests will be required to sign a liability waiver to participate in this excursion. Guests who wish to use a wetsuit will be outfitted during the transfer to the hydraulic platform on board the motorboat.

Explore Moorea's splendid marine life in a unique new way during this underwater walking and snorkeling adventure.

Depart the pier for the drive to the Intercontinental Moorea Resort & Spa. Upon arrival, you will meet your instructor, then be outfitted with your wetsuit and water shoes before embarking on a 10-minute boat ride inside the majestic lagoon of Moorea. The crew will anchor the boat off the coast of Motu Fareone or inside the lagoon in Papetoaï (depending on sea and weather conditions).

Your certified diving instructor will explain your safety and diving instructions, help you put on your helmet, and assist you with descending the ladder into the crystal-clear water. You will then commence your 30-minute underwater adventure at a depth of 12 feet. Along the way, you will see an abundance of fish that include triggerfish, butterfly fish, groupers, and parrotfish, swimming amid beautiful coral heads. Stingrays are also plentiful at this dive spot. While your guide feeds them, you will be able to take a closer look at these unusual ocean denizens.

Following your tour, you will be returned to the pier.

Please note: This does not require any prior scuba or snorkeling experience beyond being comfortable on and in the water. Guests will spend approximately 30 minutes underwater. The helmet, while heavy, is placed on your head as you enter the water and taken off as you exit. You will remain connected to the boat's air supply via an air hose. This tour is not recommended for guests with back and/or neck problems, or guests with asthma. Due to tour operator's insurance requirements, guests must sign a waiver before enjoying this tour. Please wear a swimsuit under a cover-up with reef or water shoes (no flip-flop sandals), sunscreen, and bring a towel from the ship.

Discover why Bora Bora’s spectacular lagoon is considered to be among the most beautiful in the world during this unique underwater adventure.

Depart the pier for the brief water-taxi ride to your comfortable motorized dive boat. After embarking the dive boat, your certified diving instructor will explain your safety and diving instructions and help you put on your helmet. Your head will remain dry inside the helmet; you can even wear your glasses as you freely maneuver about in total security just a few feet below the surface. Plastic shoes, wetsuits, masks, and snorkels will also be available, as there will be time for snorkeling while the other guests take their underwater walk.

You will then descend the ladder into the crystal-clear water and commence your 30-minute underwater adventure. As you walk along the sandy bottom past exotic coral formations, you will see an abundanceof iridescently colored tropical fish that are gentle enough to feed by hand. No swimming or diving experience is required.

At the conclusion of your tour, you will return directly to the pier viawater taxi.

Please note: No swimming or diving experience is required. The helmet, while heavy, is placed on your head as you enter the water and taken off as you exit. You will remain connected to the boat’s air supply via an air hose. This tour is not recommended for guests with back and/or neck problems; guests with asthma, heart, and respiratory problems; or guests with limited mobility. Guests will be required to sign a waiver in order to participate on this tour. Minimum age requirement to participate in this excursion is 6 years.

Discover the ancient tribes of the Taaoa Valley during this memorable journey to their archaeological ruins.

Depart the pier for the ride to Taaoa, located approximately 7 miles southwest of Atuona on the coastal road. The Tiu, ancestors of most of the Hivaoan tribes, and several other tribes once lived in the Taaoa Valley. Their archaeological ruins can be reached by off-road vehicle or on foot. During your ride, you will visit the Upeke Ceremonial Center, which comprises house platforms, a tohua (tribal ceremonial center), public and sacred meae (archaeological ruins), and storage pits of breadfruit paste for feasts. The tohua was restored for the Third Festival of the Marquesas in 1991.

The remaining area is in the same state in which archaeologist Ralph Linton found it in 1920. Among the objects you might see is a tiki measuring 4 feet by 5 feet, with the eyes, part of the right arm, and the right ear carved in bas relief. According to Linton, this stone was an altar stone on which sacrificed victims were placed after being killed at the tohua and carried up to the meae. Directly below the platform is an irregular round head carved from a porous black volcanic stone (which may have been moved from its original position). On another platform in the tohua section, you can see a row of worked ke’etu stone slabs. One of them has some carved lines; the design is very difficult to see in sunlight. Locals say it is a whale or canoe, but it is actually a tiki face carved in bas relief.

Following your visit, you will reboard your off-road vehicle for the return ride to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves driving over rough roads. Access to the site involves a path over slippery stones and negotiation of high stone steps up to the tiki. This tour is not recommended for guests with back or neck problems. Each vehicle will accommodate four guests. Families and friends are advised to contact the Travel Concierge desk aboard ship in order to be assigned to the same vehicle. Although the drivers used are the best available, they are not guides, and their command of English is poor. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated.

These modern state of the art ATVs will surprise you with their ease of use and ability to conquer any obstacles and still providing you with an exhilarating and comfortable ride. During this guided tour you will ride along the scenic coastal road of mainland of Bora Bora, but the excitement is found during the off-road drive through the tropical forests and jungle of Bora Bora up and down steep paths and trails leading to the lookout points. The spectacular scenic stops across the lagoon and the neighboring islands of Taha'a, Raiatea and Huahine give you breathtaking views and photo opportunities.

The route will be adjusted and tailor-made according to the level and abilities of the participants, and generally 2 or 3 view stops are included (these may be: Anau Canon, Povai Antenna, Povai Bay Bunker and Faanui Valley).

Please note: For insurance purposes, each driving participant must present a valid driver's license and be at least 18 years of age. The minimum age to ride as a passenger on this tour is 8 years old. Maximum weight limit per vehicle is 500 pounds. Protective helmets will be provided, and must be worn throughout the riding portion of this tour. There is no storage compartment; guests are encouraged to keep cameras and personal belongings in a backpack. Please wear comfortable clothes, long pants preferably, closed toe shoes, sunglasses. The cost of this tour is per ATV, which can accommodate two average-sized adults. When pre-requesting this tour, please select only one 1 ticket.

Depart from the pier of Rotoava Village for a guided tour of the northern part of the island. Pass by the airport on the way to the North Pass and visit the small ancestral temple, Teinoka. Along the way, you'll also visit the old sea cucumber oven.

Please note: For insurance purposes, each driving participant must present credit card details and a valid driver's license and be at least 18 years of age. The minimum age to ride as a passenger on this tour is 6 years old. During the tour, one bottle of water per person is offered. After the tour, guests will be offered a beverage of beer or juice per person.When pre-requesting this tour, please select only one ticket.

Moorea's spectacular valleys, bays, and vistas are yours to discover during this guided ATV tour through the island.

Depart the pier in Cook's Bay for the brief transfer via minivan to the Hilton Moorea Lagoon & Spa, where the ATVs are based. Upon arrival, you will receive your safety and riding instructions. Then, begin your ATV ride. Your guide will lead you along the road to Belvedere lookout for magnificent views and photo opportunities over Cook's Bay, Opunohu Bay, and Mt. Rotui. You will also venture across the valley, through a river, and past pineapple fields, and stop at an ancient open-air temple, or marae, to learn about the Polynesian culture.

Afterward, you will continue on to the Moorea Agricultural School, then ride across this large plantation and down to the Paopao Valley. From here, you will take the main road en route to the Fruit Juice Factory, where you will enjoy a brief stop. Then, ride back to the Hilton Lagoon & Spa. Upon arrival, you will reboard your minivan for the return ride to the pier.

Please note: For insurance purposes, each driving participant must present credit card details and a valid driver's license and be at least 18 years of age. The minimum age to ride as a passenger on this tour is 6 years old. Protective helmets will be provided, and must be worn throughout the riding portion of this tour. There is no storage compartment; guests are encouraged to keep cameras and personal belongings in a backpack. The cost of this tour is per ATV, which can accommodate two average-sized adults. When pre-requesting this tour, please select only one ticket.

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Hi! I am Elaine Claggett, a world traveler with a passion for dreaming about vacations and making travel adventures happen for everyone. As CEO of SomedayTrips, I truly believe that travel services should begin with dreams and end with amazing travel memories. I fell in love with the Tahitian islands following my first cruise there and have never looked back introducing our customers to the amazing islands and people. Needless to say everyone returns with the same feeling we had "Maybe this is not a once in a lifetime trip". Contact us and let us share why cruising the islands with Paul Gauguin Cruises is a great way to get the most out of a trip to French Polynesia.